dailyprompt – Page 36

Most Money Ever Spent on a Meal

Here’s another question and nothing comes to mind! I don’t think I’ve ever spent a lot on a meal when I had to pay for it on my own. Mostly, it has been just simple meals and nothing much to speak of.

However, there was one time when I was invited out for dinner and the cost blew my mind. He was a Qantas Airways pilot, who lived in Australia but was used to flying in and out of Asia and he invited me out to dinner. I was thinking it would be a simple restaurant so nothing spectacular. I was wrong.

The restaurant was high up somewhere in the clouds, on the 70th floor, and a revolving one at that. We were met at the entrance by a Russian soldier dressed in medieval gear. He looked menacing. We had to wait at the bar to be seated. When we finally got our table, it had a beautiful view of the city and it was lit up like a Christmas tree. The scenery kept changing and that was more than interesting. First course, was a big plate of oysters on ice with black caviar and sliced boiled eggs. I had never had oysters or caviar before. The oysters looked unappetizing but he insisted I try one. I did and it was not to my liking.

They made a big display of opening the wine bottle and since I don’t drink, it was nothing for me either. Then the main course came. It was steak in a sumptuous sauce. I don’t recall what else came with it because the steak was melt in your mouth and blew everything else away. What came next? Dessert I think. but I’m not sure. Everything was perfect but nothing was lined with gold or anything like that to warrant what came next.

The bill was a whopping $350 dollars!

I think that was the most expensive meal I had ever been invited to and the fact that he thought I was worth it was mind-blowing as well.

Daily writing prompt

What’s the most money you’ve ever spent on a meal? Was it worth it?

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Sydney Sweeney’s Jeans Ad

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My platform has always been about bringing light to social injustices, racial inequalities, racism in all its ugly forms and anything else that is considered out of the ordinary and reeks of one thing or another. I’ve written articles on the shooting deaths of Black men by law enforcement to the plight of the Rohingyas and everything in between. Sometimes the atrocities are blatant and at other times, they are subtle and are aimed at disguising what is not evident at first glance.

The Sydney Sweeney jeans ad is about a pretty girl in a pair of jeans. Nothing spectacular and nothing else stands out unless you’re into jeans and what’s new out there. That’s just at first glance.

Take a closer look and something else emerges. The clothing company, American Eagle, faced its share of backlash when it was accused of promoting “eugenics,” by using wordplay on jeans/genes in the ad.

“Sydney Sweeney has good genes,” referencing Sweeney’s white, blonde and blue-eyed looks. Some have accused the brand of promoting, “eugenics,” and “Nazi propaganda.”

Eugenics is defined as a doctrine “adopted by the Nazis to justify their treatment of Jews, disabled people, and other minority groups.” It is a study on “how to arrange reproduction within a human population to increase the occurrence of heritable characteristics,” those deemed as sought after traits or of the blond and blue-eyed variety.

In the campaign, Sweeney posing in jeans is seen whispering:

“Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My jeans are blue.”

The video has since been removed from American Eagle’s social media channels but the backlash continues. The ad comes in the wake of President Trump’s White House policies aimed at slashing diversity efforts in the federal government and the targeting of immigrants. Some say, the ad is reminiscent of the Calvin Klein campaign which starred a 15-year-old Brooke Shields posing provocatively and therefore, just “an overt sexualization of a minor,” and nothing more. The problem to this theory is that Sydney Sweeney is no longer a minor.

The company has issued a statement saying, “the campaign is and always was about the jeans. We’ll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone.”

Agreed. However, trying to promote a message beyond that of “just about the jeans,” and using wordplay to get the message across is something else altogether. In the current atmosphere of, “let’s do away with all that is different,” this ad is more than alarming. My take on this is, they should have known better!

Daily writing prompt

Scour the news for an entirely uninteresting story. Consider how it connects to your life. Write about that.

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My Happiness List

Wow! What a question! Not 10, not 20 but 30 things that make me happy. Once I get done with this, I will either be deliriously happy or feel like the air has been let out of my being!

I recall when I was a young girl, mom and dad had a ritual. Bible study was an everyday thing and it was painful for a girl who had her head in the clouds. We had to say what we were thankful for and each child had to come up with something. I hated it but there was no getting out of it. I would always make it as short as possible so that we would finish and I could watch cartoons on TV. However, one sister had a different plan. She would go on and on! It was a never-ending litany of things she was thankful for or happy about but I think she wanted to get in dad’s good graces and it worked! She was his favorite.

Anyway, here goes.

Chachi, the cat.

Morning coffee.

Birds chirping.

My quiet time.

Meditation

Deep Breathing

Beauty Rituals

A call from my son.

Conversations with friends.

Walks in nature.

My workouts.

The sky above.

My favorite TV shows.

Writing

Imagination

My house (my sanctuary)

The Dyson fan (a godsent on hot days!)

Rain!

Cheesecake

Banana Muffins

Friends

Family

Peace

Love

Freedom (to be who I am)

PJs ( I love hanging out in them)

My laptop

My Posts

Feeling Safe

Feeling like I can handle anything. (Basically taking lemons and making lemonade out of them!)

There! I’m feeling like I need another cup of coffee and a nap after this one! Just kidding.

Daily writing prompt

List 30 things that make you happy.

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A Habit That Brings Joy

It’s no secret. There are many things that bring me joy on a daily basis but the one thing that remains constant is the joy I get from Chachi, the cat.

Little Einstein does the impossible. On days when I’m down in the dumps or feeling a little lost, it is the little furball that brings me back up and helps me to see life as half full versus half empty. All it takes is his cross-legged stance with that inquisitive look on his face to put a smile on my face or it is that rubbing up against my leg for attention or even doing the workouts with me. He is more of a hindrance there but who cares. It automatically puts a smile on my face and sometimes a roar of laughter follows watching him as he tries to distract me from what I’m doing.

The little Meister is an expert at showing me who his favorite person is. He winks when he catches me looking at him and in cat language it means either they love you or are just mighty pleased to have you in their life. Add his love- filled glances and he takes me soaring. One habit that I absolutely love is cuddling at bedtime. I love listening to him take off to dreamland and the soft purring of contentment is music to my ears. Now, it’s not going to do the same for the guy who comes in, of this I’m sure. What guy? He’s not there yet but when he does show up, I’m not holding my breath, but when he does we’ll work on that problem together.

Until then Chachi, the cat, or rather Little Einstein is king and master and he knows it. He is one habit that brings me joy and I can do forever! Yes, I’m a goner where that little guy is concerned. Most importantly, he brings me joy of the best kind.

Daily writing prompt

Describe one habit that brings you joy.

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Life & Love

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These are two things I’m curious about and I wish I can get a handle on both of them. So far, it has been touch and go. Just when I think I know what life and love are all about, it goes and changes on me!

One thing I know is that life is unpredictable more so than love. You can’t count on it being the same day in and day out and there is no counting on it to remain the same. If anything, it has the ability to turn your world upside down when you least expect it and that is exactly why I’m curious about it. It almost seems like it knows what it is doing AND it also knows that we are fully capable of handling whatever it throws our way even if we think it is an impossibility or there is no way we’re going to stand back up from the latest onslaught. Looking back, I think I was ENOUGH all along but still I want it laid out in black and white as to what life is and why it is so erratic. Some say it is the nature of the beast.

Love, on the other hand, is predictable. If you are in a bad relationship, it goes without saying that it is going to end badly. I have found that when I veer off the path and go my own way, I usually wind up getting hurt. It also seems that the “chase” doesn’t always work. If I take my focus away from finding love, the right kind of love, it shows up knocking on my door. Only problem is that I still keep looking thinking there is more out there, the almost perfect person for me and that is my problem. I know what love can do, how it can take you soaring or rip you apart and leave you gasping for air, that too is predictable. I am curious about the “forever love” the kind that lasts for a lifetime. I am still looking for it. If the person will show up that is the question.

I am curious about many things but those two listed above are at the top of my list. Perhaps, I should leave it alone but when has that stopped me!

Daily writing prompt

What are you curious about?

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A Random Act of Kindness

I’ve done plenty because it is at the core of my existence. Being kind I mean. I’ve brought small bouquets of flowers to lonely neighbors, mostly women, who are living alone in this village and that small gesture brings a spark of light back in their eyes. I usually help when it is needed and I tend to put myself out there and often to my own detriment.

One act of kindness that stands out is my offer of help to a young family who had lost the mainstay of their family to suicide. I didn’t know her well but her son and mine were friends. She was a vet and they had a good life going or so we thought. I recall the week before the incident. We talked on my front stoop and she told me they were heading to Prague for the holidays and when they get back our two boys could meet up and have a playdate.

A week later, my son had his friends over but that little boy was missing. I asked where he was and the boys kept saying, “His mom is gone!” I was puzzled so I called and found out the sad news. I wasn’t close to them but somehow this caring within me kicked in and I offered help. The father accepted. I was there at the funeral and it was a sad one. No one could understand why she had done what she did. There had been no signs whatsoever.

Anyway, the father asked if I could look after the little boy after the funeral, he needed time alone. I agreed and took him home with me. He stayed for two or perhaps three days, I can’t recall now. I would catch him staring into space not understanding but somehow knowing that his life had changed. I recall giving him hugs and saying, “Everything will be alright.” My son kept him occupied but the strange thing, I would break into tears for no apparent reason. Perhaps, it was the sadness of the situation or something else, I don’t really know.

I know that the boy still remembers the kindness that was shown to him. He is a young man now studying in Scotland. He has done well and his mom would be so proud of him. When we do meet and when our eyes touch, I see that he still remembers the kindness that was offered to him. It was a small gesture from my end but it helped him when he needed it most and sometimes that is what kindness is about.

Daily writing prompt

Write about a random act of kindness you’ve done for someone.

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A Description of Self

Didn’t I just answer this question a couple of days ago? Oh well, here we go. This is hard and you’ve got to be good with description to do this one. Let’s see if I can pull this one off.

I had a blind friend in high school and we were close. One day he wanted to know how I looked like. So he placed his hands on my face and went over the contours and I guess he got a pretty good idea. This here is different.

Okay, I’m petite with long dark hair. Some say that my hair is my best feature but I say it is my smile. I smile with my eyes and my laugh is contagious. Of course that is hard to convey to someone who can’t see me but perhaps you hear it in my voice! My skin is soft and smooth or at least that is what I was told not too long ago when a friend touched my arm to look at it and went, “Whoa! You’re one of those!” I looked confused and he said, “The ones with soft skin.” That, my friend, comes with putting a lot of care into keeping it that way.

My eyes are almond-shaped and add the long dark hair and I have this exotic look going. I am slim, almost skinny. I lost a lot of weight when I accompanied the friend to his deathbed but I’ve gained some of it back. I guess that about completes the picture of me. Attractive? I don’t think so but I’ve been told I am. That about sums it up for this question, next one please!

Daily writing prompt

How would you describe yourself to someone who can’t see you?

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Traditions

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Almost every family has them and some are wonderful and some we can do without. My family had many traditions and I had to be there whether I wanted to or not!

My parents were religious people and church on Sundays was one of those traditions. I’m not just talking about Sunday service but spending the whole day at church! Yes, it was excruciating for a young girl but I did it simply because it was a must. This is one tradition I don’t keep up with. I’m not going to put my son through it either. It’s his decision altogether and he has chosen to go the other way but I think a little religion doesn’t hurt anyone.

All the other holidays were part and parcel of our upbringing. Christmas was a big deal but I loved it and when I was married, I kept up with the tradition. Presents, lights, Christmas carols and good food were all still a part of tradition but nowadays, it is a quiet affair. No going all out, just some lights, music and a quiet time, so that has changed. Thanksgiving was another big deal. It was a time for family get-togethers, turkey and all the trimmings and lots of food! I’ve changed it to almost nothing. When the friend was there, we would have a semblance of Thanksgiving, just some good food and a quiet time together. Now that he is gone, I’m mostly on my own except for Chachi, the cat.

Traditions have changed but I guess it does when life changes. Time changes things too and circumstances complete the picture. Memories of those traditions I had with my parents still remain, they always will, because they were wonderful times except for the whole day at church bit. I could have done without those.

Daily writing prompt

What traditions have you not kept that your parents had?

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A Not So Typical Day

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The last couple of days haven’t been typical meaning that it hasn’t been normal with nothing much happening.

Most days are normal. The routine never changes and it flows with the same old stuff. Slow wake ups, a lazy breakfast in bed, hugs and kisses from Chachi, the cat, and listening to the birds creating a symphony outside my bedroom window. Just routine stuff, nothing out of the ordinary and the day follows with more of the same.

However, a routine check up last week had me scrambling. The check up itself was nothing special, everything ok according to the doctor but they needed a blood sample just to be sure. I could check the results online they told me. A few days later I did just that. Everything seemed normal except for one reading. It had a medical name so I Googled it. My heart constricted in my throat and I knew that this wasn’t normal. A few days later, the doctor called. He wanted to see me. I asked, “Anything bad?”

He said, “No, I just need to talk to you.” That didn’t settle the uneasiness I was feeling.

I showed up at his office and he smiled. “How are you doing?” he asked.

“I’ll tell you after you tell me what is wrong.”

He said the one reading showed abnormality and it needed further checking out. “What kind of checking out? Something painful?” Pain and me don’t go well together. He said it would be similar to what I had before but with radiation! What?!! He continued ignoring the panic on my face. “I would suggest that you get it checked out just to be sure.”

That set the wheels in motion. I went into a deep dive. My emotions have been doing a roller coaster ride ever since. What if it is something serious? I won’t know until they check me out and I hate that radiation part. I’m a health nut and I hate anything foreign invading my body but I have no choice in the matter. It needs to be done.

No, I can’t control the outcome. I can only control my reaction to this unwanted and unforeseen circumstance. So I’m upping my yoga practice, taking walks in nature and TRYING not to think about the worst case scenario. It’s not easy but I’m trying and that is all I can do. Life is unpredictable as I’ve said here many times before and this is one of those times.

Typical has nothing to do with it.

Daily writing prompt

Was today typical?

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Yours Truly

How would I describe myself? Physically, I come in a petite package. Slim, fit, and still able to fit in a size 4 jeans! I suppose that comes from the workouts I torture myself with!

My hair is dark and very long. I was told many times that I have the prettiest hair around, some say I still do but it doesn’t matter anymore. I’m all about the inner beauty now. What else? I have almond-shaped eyes, small features and a great smile. That last part gets me second glances and or looks or it could be something else entirely! Attractive? I’ve been told I am but here again, who cares? I’m touting the inner beauty part of me these days.

Emotionally, I’m a wreck at times. At other times, I’ve got it altogether. I have a good head on my shoulders, a kind heart and a giving personality. I’ve been told that I’m complicated and they (the men) may be right. If complicated means you can’t get to first base no matter how hard you try then you are absolutely right. I don’t fall for just anyone and getting anywhere with me is like going through an obstacle course, too many and way too hard to get across! I agree that I’m complicated but the prize at the end might just be worth it, if you’re looking for someone who knows what she wants and has a lot to offer. So call me complicated all you want, who cares is my retort!

Get the picture? Strong-willed, complicated, strong willpower, except for cheesecake, a mind of my own, intelligent, accomplished and a powerhouse where vocabulary is concerned, add atrractive to that and you might just have the whole package or a horror in the making! You decide.

Daily writing prompt

How would you describe yourself to someone?

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